Impact-Indicating Athletic Court Target Device

ABSTRACT

The portable athletic court target device includes, as a single unitary article, a flat, thin base mat having integrated multiple protrusions (preferably hemispherical) on its upper surface and having a generally non-slip lower surface. The inexpensive, weather-resistant, and easily-movable athletic court target device is preferably brightly colored to visually define the desired target location. The athletic court target device advantageously provides convenient, automatic feedback when the ball impacts the target location, as the protrusions cause the ball to rebound in an erratic, unexpected path. The athletic court target device is useful as a training aid in tennis and other sports.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sports target training aiddevice and, more particularly, to a portable athletic court targetdevice providing immediate, automatic feedback that the ball has hit thetarget.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Drills and practice to improve shot accuracy, ball placement, and stroketechnique can lead to a more successful game in many sports. Yetrepetitive practice may become tedious and less effective. Focusing on avisual target can improve concentration and interest.

For example, to enhance and encourage practicing, a variety of tenniscourt targets have been developed that provide a goal at which a playeron the opposite side of the court can aim. These include non-electronicdevices such as pyramids of stacked balls, target cones, rubber courttarget disks, tennis backboards such as disclosed in U.S. Publication2008/0227571 by McTavish, the ball hopper target proposed in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2007/0191145 by Winter, adhesive dots proposed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,948,372 to Stotland, a target stand disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,807,879 to Eliot, court tape as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,311,619 to Leftwich, and court target training panels disclosed byReinprecht in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,620.

Some of these simple, non-electronic devices merely provide a target,but provide no feedback or indication that the target has been hit.These include the rubber court target disks, the adhesive dots ofStotland, the court tape as disclosed by Leftwich, and court targettraining panels by Reinprecht.

Pyramids of stacked balls and target cones provide feedback that thetarget has been hit, but are time consuming to continually reset aftereach hit, so are not practical for repetitive practice and drills.

The ball hopper target by Winter, the target stand by Eliot, and thebackboard disclosed by McTavish stand upright off of the ground, sointerrupt the path of the ball before it reaches the surface of thetennis court. These upright targets are less effective for practicingball placement. For instance, if a serve hits the upright target, itcannot be determined if the serve would have been within the lines ofthe service box.

Additionally, many of these simple, non-electronic devices (includingthe tennis backboard, target cones, target stand, and ball hoppertarget) are not compact and easy to store, transport, or position andre-position on the court.

To address these problems, various electronic targets have beenproposed. These electronic targets include the electronic target withcounter and display of U.S. Publication No. 2008/0293522 by Kaleel etal., the acoustic sensor and electronic indicator U.S. Pat. No.5,908,194 to Schachter, et al., the diaphragm that generates a pulsesent to an electronic indicator of U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,644 to Faurot, etal., and the mat incorporating a pressure-sensitive switch of U.S.Publication No. 2008/0200285 by Haseth.

The electronic targets suffer from problems in that the electroniccomponents reduce durability, increase purchase cost, increase repaircosts, incur expense in providing a power source, potentially increasesetup times, and reduce the ability to withstand exposure to weatherwithout damage or loss of function. They also tend to be less compact,more easily damaged when accidentally stepped on, less washable, moretroublesome to transport and store, and less readily movable to adifferent area of the court. Additionally, the focus tends to be on theelectronic indicator, thus taking the player's eyes off the ball, whichis undesirable and does not closely simulate normal playing conditions.

Currently there is no sports target training aid that provides aconvenient, easily re-postionable and transportable target incorporatingencouraging feedback to develop shot accuracy, ball placement, andstroke technique, without the use of undependable electronics.

Accordingly, there is an established need for a convenient, durable,portable, re-postionable, self-contained, weather-resistant,inexpensive, impact-indicating athletic court target device that notonly provides a visual target, but also provides positive feedback toincrease interest and promote efficient practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an impact-indicating portableathletic court target device that is quickly and easily placed on thedesired court area to provide both a visual goal and to provideimmediate, automatic feedback indicating that the ball has impacted thegoal location. The athletic court target device is described as appliedto training a tennis player to direct a shot to a particular area of thecourt, but is additionally useful as a goal in other sports.

The athletic court target device includes a flat, thin base mat having amatrix of integrated multiple protrusions on its upper surface andpreferably having a generally non-slip lower surface. The multipleprotrusions are preferably hemispherical and are spaced appropriately toallow the tennis ball to contact the rounded surface of the hemisphere,producing a change in the course traversed by the ball. The inexpensive,weather-resistant, and easily-movable athletic court target device ispreferably brightly colored to visually define the desired targetlocation. When the ball impacts the athletic court target device theprotrusions cause the ball to rebound in an erratic path. If the ballmisses the target-defined location, the ball will bounce in a standard,expected path. Thus the inherent properties of the target device provideboth a target and positive feedback.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable court targetdevice that clearly visually indicates the desired target location.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that automatically and inherently producesfeedback indicating that the ball has struck the target location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is easy to position on the horizontalsurface of a court.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is easy to move and to re-position toa new athletic court location.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is easy to transport.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is durable.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is inexpensive to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portableathletic court target device that is weather-resistant.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, whichfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate andnot to limit the invention, where like designations denote likeelements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a preferred first embodiment of theathletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral side view showing the first embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the area of the circle of FIG. 2 showing thefirst embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target deviceof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view showing the first embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the area of the circle of FIG. 4 showing thefirst embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target deviceof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a second embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view showing a third embodiment of the impact-indicatingathletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a fourth embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a fifth embodiment of theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cut view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7 showing thesecond embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target deviceof the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a firstaspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic courttarget device of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a secondaspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic courttarget device of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a thirdaspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic courttarget device of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is an exemplary environmental use view showing theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present inventionas used as a tennis training aid;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary environmental use view showing theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present inventionas used as a table tennis training aid; and

FIG. 17 is an exemplary environmental use view showing theimpact-indicating athletic court target device of the present inventionas used in a volleyball court.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed towardan easily movable impact-indicating athletic court target device thatprovides both a visual target and an immediate, automatic feedbackindicating that the ball has impacted the target location. The athleticcourt target device includes a base mat having a matrix of integratedmultiple protrusions on its upper surface and having a generallynon-slip lower surface.

The preferably brightly colored athletic court target device is manuallyplaced on the horizontal floor of the athletic court, defining thedesired target location and providing a visual target for the player.When a ball is hit into the desired area, it impacts the athletic courttarget device with the protrusions causing the ball to rebounderratically. If the ball misses the athletic court target device, theball will bounce in a typical, standard, expected path. Thus the playercan continue to keep his or her eye on the ball, yet receive a natural,convenient indication that the target has or has not been hit. This isadvantageous compared to conventional target devices that may requirelooking at a light or signal. If the eye is taken off the ball, theplayer cannot see the degree and direction in which the ball missed thetarget, thus cannot correct stoke.

The athletic court target device is particularly suited for tennistraining (FIG. 15), such as for drills in serving practice or in hittingshots to a particular corner. However, the athletic court target devicemay be used for training in other sports, such as for practicingaccuracy in football, soccer, racquetball, squash, paddle tennis, tabletennis (FIG. 16), volleyball (FIG. 17), etc.

Five embodiments are presented, a first preferred embodiment of FIG.1-FIG. 6, a second embodiment (FIG. 7, FIG. 11), a third embodiment(FIG. 8), a fourth embodiment (FIG. 9), and a fifth embodiment (FIG.10). Various optional aspects are illustrated in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. Atypical usage of the athletic court target device on a tennis court isshown in FIG. 15. Usage of the athletic court target device in othertypes of sports is shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, an athletic court target device,shown generally as reference number 10, is illustrated in accordancewith a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown,the target 10 comprises a base mat 25 configured with multipleprotrusions 20 on its upper surface. The base mat 25 is preferably alsoconfigured with corresponding handles 45, 46.

Base mat 25 is a generally thin, flat, sheet, pad, or mat. Base mat 25may be provided in any of a variety of sizes and shapes, as needed forthe level of skill of the player, but is preferably square with eachside measuring approximately between one and two feet. Base mat 25 hasan upper surface configured with multiple, spaced protrusions 20 and hasa generally non-slip lower surface. Base mat 25 and protrusions 20 arepreferably formed unitarily of a resilient, weather-resistant materialthat is capable of withstanding the shock of the tennis ball impactwithout permanent deformation or rupture, such as polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or other natural or manmade elastomers orrubber-like materials. The base mat 25 is designed to fold for storage.Optionally, the mat may be formed of a more rigid material with anyoptional fold line 30 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) formed of a flexible, bendablematerial.

The protrusions 20 may be regular or irregular bumps, bubbles, partialspheres, or the like, and are herein referred to as of hemisphericalshape. They are arranged in an array or matrix and are appropriatelyspaced to provide an irregular rebound to a tennis ball that hits theathletic court target device. The placement of the protrusions 20 may befurther influenced by the desirability of allowing the athletic courttarget device to fold in a central location or along optional fold line30 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) for convenience in storage of the athletic courttarget device 10 or in transporting the athletic court target device 10in a sports bag. Thus protrusions 20 may be positioned in opposingpositions to lessen contact to allow the athletic court target device 10to be folded more compactly. The protrusions 20 may be of one size (asshown in FIG. 8) or may be of multiple sizes. As shown in the firstembodiment of FIG. 1-FIG. 6, larger protrusions 20A may be interspersedwith medium protrusions 20B and with small protrusions 20C. The specificplacement and size of the protrusions 20 may be dictated byconsideration of function or by consideration of function andaesthetics.

The base mat 25 is preferably configured with opposing handle openings45 and may be optionally configured with handle reinforcements 44, ifneeded to reinforce and strengthen the handle area for durability. Afirst handle opening 45 is preferably disposed in a generally centralarea inset slightly from a first longitudinal edge of base mat 25. Asecond handle opening 46 is preferably disposed in a similar centralarea inset slightly from the opposing second longitudinal edge of basemat 25, in such a manner that, when the athletic court target device 10is folded, the two handle openings 45, 46 meet in a manner suitable forgrasping with a hand. Handle openings 45, 46 are preferably formedunitarily with base mat 25 and protrusions 20, with reinforcements 44embedded within the base mat 25 material.

The base mat 25 may have a flat bottom or may be irregular to aid inreducing slippage upon ball impact. Preferably base mat 25 may beconfigured with small nubs 26 (FIG. 3) of the same material as base mat25 or of a different material.

The athletic court target device 10 may be enhanced by the placementupon the upper surface of one or more indicia 40, such as a logo,graphic, image, company name, product, service, embellishment, or thelike. The athletic court target device 10 may be personalized by theinclusion of indicia 40 indicating the name of a tennis club, team,college, sports organization, event, tennis celebrity, or the like.

Other variations may also be incorporated into the sports trainingaid/athletic court target device 10 without departing from the presentinvention. FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 illustrate a few of these optional aspectsand features of the athletic court target device 10.

The second embodiment of FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 illustrates that theathletic court target device 10 may have a beveled edge 35 to provide amore rounded edge for safety. FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 also illustrate thatbase mat 25 may optionally be configured with a fold line 30. The foldline 30 runs longitudinally across the middle of the court target device30. It is designed to facilitate folding for storage and transport. Thematerial utilized to form the base mat 25 may be chosen to haveproperties allowing folding along the general area of fold line 30, orfold line 30 may be a deformation, indentation, crease, furrow, grove,or the like on one surface or on both surfaces (as shown in FIG. 11) ofthe base mat 25.

The third embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrates the imprinting orincorporation of a larger indicium 40 extending across a wide area ofbase mat 25 and protrusions 20. FIG. 8 also illustrates an additionaldesign of the size and placement of protrusions 20 in which theprotrusions 20 are of a single size and substantially evenly spaced.Further FIG. 8 illustrates optional multiple fold lines (longitudinalfold line 30A, and lateral fold line 30B).

The target device 10 is preferably colored with a bright colorcontrasting with the color of the athletic court to clearly visuallydefine the target space for the player. However, the target device 10may be patterned or imprinted with a graphic. For example, the fourthembodiment of FIG. 9 illustrates a pattern applied to the protrusions 20with the base mat 25 a solid color.

Though the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 is square, theathletic court target device 10 may optionally be provided in any of avariety of shapes. FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 illustrate the athleticcourt target device 10 in rectangular, circular, and hexagonal form,respectively.

Additionally, though the protrusions 20 of the first embodiment arerounded partial circles, other shapes that project upward from base mat25 are within the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 10illustrates hexagonally shaped protrusions 20.

The cut view of FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 illustrate protrusions 20and base mat 25 formed unitarily and of a single material.Alternatively, the cut view of FIG. 14 shows that the interior of theprotrusions 20 may be filled with a second material 27, such as mightincrease resiliency and/or ball bounce.

FIG. 11 also illustrates that base mat 25 may optionally be configuredwith beveled edges 36 to provide a smooth transition and reducetripping. FIG. 11 further illustrates an optional design of fold line 30which includes both an upper indentation 32 and a lower indentation toform a narrow isthmus facilitating folding.

The non-slip character of the bottom surface is designed to provide areduction in slippage when the ball impacts the court target device 10.This non-slip character can be achieved by properties inherent in thematerial chosen for the base mat 25, by the particular textures or shapeof the bottom surface of base mat 25, by use of small nubs 26 (FIG. 3)of the same or a different material, or by any of a variety ofconventional non-slip treatments. The material used to form base mat 25and protrusions 20 may be chosen with inherent non-slip properties, withno additional material applied, as shown in FIG. 11 and in FIG. 14.Optionally, a thin non-skid coating 29 may be sprayed onto, or otherwiseapplied to, the bottom surface after manufacturing, as illustrated inFIG. 12. FIG. 13 illustrates the addition of a separate layer 23 ofnon-slip material permanently joined to the bottom surface of base mat25, creating a layered composition. FIG. 14 illustrates a visibly rough,textured, and/or lumpy bottom surface 24 of base mat 25 formed withoutaddition of a separate material.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 show the sport target device 10 in usagein exemplary sports, illustrating the versatility of the target device10. FIG. 15 shows the target device 10 sized and configured for usage intennis. FIG. 16 shows the target device 10 sized and configured forusage as a table tennis training aid. And FIG. 17 shows the targetdevice 10 sized and configured for usage as a volleyball training aid.

To use the target device 10 of the present invention as a tennistraining aid, a player (or player's coach or helper) places the brightlycolored mat on the tennis court surface in a prescribed location toenable the player to practice hitting the ball into the prescribedlocation.

One or multiple target devices 10 may be placed. A single target device10 can be used to define a particular prescribed court area to which theball is to be directed. To increase the size of a single prescribedtarget area, multiple target devices 10 can be placed adjacent to eachother. To designate multiple prescribed locations, multiple targetdevices 10 can be positioned about the court, as illustrated in FIG. 15.

For example, a drill to improve ball placement and accuracy of aplayer's serve may be performed by placing the target device 10 in oneor more desired locations. In FIG. 15 four of the target devices 10 havebeen placed, one in each corner of the right or left service box.However, a single target device 10 can be easily moved between thepositions shown in FIG. 15 or to other positions, such as the backcorners of the court, as desired for practicing stroke accuracy.

The player takes one ball from a bucket of tennis balls. Standing on theopposite side of the court, the player aims at one of the positionedtarget devices 10 and serves the ball. If the ball strikes theprotrusions 20 on the top surface of target device 10, a hit isindicated by audible feedback (a variation in sound as the target device10 is hit compared to the sound if the tennis court is hit) as well asvisual feedback (the ball bounces in an unpredictable pattern if thetarget device 10 is hit.) If the ball misses the target device 10, theball bounces in the standard, expected pattern and no variation in soundis heard. Thus the player knows that he or she has hit or missed thetarget location. The target device 10 inherently produces positivefeedback, encouraging longer and more productive practice.

When the player is finished with the drill, the athletic court targetdevice 10 can be removed from the tennis court surface, folded in halfin a central location or along optional fold line 30 and placed in atennis bag for transport.

Improving the accuracy of placement of tennis strokes (including theserve) occurs at a faster rate when the target device 10 is placed onthe surface of the tennis court to provide a specific goal for which toaim. Stroke development occurs at even a faster pace as there is visualand/or audible feedback when the target device 10 on the court isstruck.

The target device 10 provides a target that is clearly visible from theopposite side of the court. It provides audible and/or visualindications that the ball has or has not struck the target location. (Inthe rare case that the ball hits the target device 10 but fails toimpact a protrusion 20, the audible sound may be the only feedback.) Itis easily postionable and repositionable anywhere on the horizontalsurface of a court as needed for different drills. The target device 10is compact and easy to store or transport in a sport bag. The unitarydevice is also very economical to produce.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the sports target trainingaid device 10 of the current invention provides a novel structure thatproduces a unique, inherent feedback thus encouraging practice anddeveloping ball placement accuracy.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended Claims and their legal equivalents.

1. An athletic court target device, comprising, as a single unitaryarticle: a base mat; a matrix of multiple protrusions integrated intothe base mat to form a lumpy top surface, wherein when a ball lands onat least one of said multiple protrusions, the ball is reflected in anunexpected path.
 2. The athletic court target device as recited in claim1, wherein said protrusions are hemispherical in shape.
 3. The athleticcourt target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said protrusions aresolid.
 4. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1,wherein the bottom surface of said base mat is configured to have anon-slip character for reducing slippage of said athletic court targetdevice on an athletic court surface upon ball impact.
 5. The athleticcourt target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat isformed of a rubber-like material.
 6. The athletic court target device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is configured with a fold lineadapted to allow manual folding of said base mat into two halves.
 7. Theathletic court target device as recited in claim 6, wherein said basemat is configured with a first handle opening inset from a center areaof a first longitudinal edge and is configured with a second handleopening inset from a center area of a second longitudinal edge, whereinsaid first handle opening and said second handle opening are insymmetrical positions.
 8. The athletic court target device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said base mat is configured with at least one indicium.9. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 8, wherein saidat least one indicium is a logo.
 10. The athletic court target device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is formed of a rubber-likematerial.
 11. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1,wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are formed of abrightly colored material.
 12. The athletic court target device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusionsare sized for use as a tennis training device.
 13. The athletic courttarget device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and saidmultiple protrusions are sized for use as a table tennis trainingdevice.
 14. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1,wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use asa volley ball training device.
 15. The athletic court target device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusionsare sized for use as a racquet ball training device.
 16. The athleticcourt target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat andsaid multiple protrusions are sized for use as a squash training device.17. An athletic court target device comprising, in a single, unitaryarticle: a thin base mat having an upper surface, a generally non-sliplower surface, two opposing lateral edges, and two opposing longitudinaledges; wherein said base mat is configured with a centrally disposedarea parallel with the longitudinal edges that is adapted to allowmanual folding; wherein said base mat is configured with two opposinghandle openings each of which is disposed near, but inset from, thecenter of one of said longitudinal edges; and wherein said base mat isformed of a resilient material; and a matrix of multiple solid,hemispherical protrusions incorporated into said upper surface, whereinwhen a ball lands on at least one of said hemispherical protrusions, theball is reflected in an unexpected path.
 18. The athletic court targetdevice as recited in claim 17, further comprising handle reinforcementsdisposed between each of said handle openings and said longitudinal edgeand configured to reinforce to said handle opening.
 19. The athleticcourt target device as recited in claim 17, wherein said base mat isimprinted with indicia.
 20. A method of practicing hitting a ball onto aspecific area of the surface of an athletic court, comprising: providingan athletic court target device having a base mat configured with amatrix of multiple hemispherical protrusions; placing said athleticcourt target device in a desired position on the surface on a first halfof said athletic court; focusing on said athletic court target device toaim a ball from the opposing half of said athletic court toward saidathletic court target device; serving said ball from the opposing halfof said athletic court toward said athletic court target device; andnoting the rebound path of said ball, wherein said rebound path is anerratic, unexpected path if said ball is rebounding from the impact onsaid athletic court target device and wherein said rebound path is astandard, expected path if said ball is rebounding from the impact onsaid athletic court surface.
 21. The method of practicing hitting a ballonto a specific area of the surface of an athletic court, as recited inclaim 20, further comprising noting the audible feedback from the impactof said ball, wherein said audible feedback can be differentiatedbetween the impact sound on said athletic court target device and onsaid athletic court surface.
 22. The method as recited in claim 20,wherein said method concerns hitting a tennis ball onto a specific areaof a tennis court surface.
 23. The method as recited in claim 20,wherein said method concerns hitting a table tennis ball onto a specificarea of a table tennis surface.
 24. The method as recited in claim 20,wherein said method concerns hitting a volleyball onto a specific areaof a volleyball court.